Fast-rising Couture plays key role for Sharks

Updated 11:35 pm, Saturday, September 28, 2013

Logan Couture has become a key element in the Sharks' Stanley Cup hopes, earning a five-year contract extension.

Logan Couture has become a key element in the Sharks' Stanley Cup hopes, earning a five-year contract extension.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Associated Press

Fast-rising Couture plays key role for Sharks

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Logan Couture goes where few NHL players venture these days, and we're talking beyond the dirty areas in close where punishing goals are scored.

The Sharks' forward has taken to Twitter, where in a little over a year's time he's attracted more than 156,000 followers. And unlike a number of athletes who find the casual connection with fans a bit much, Couture hangs in there.

"I listen to music and watch a lot of sports on TV, and that's basically all I tweet about," Couture said. "People say I'm boring or obsessed with certain things."

Boring on the Internet works. Not boring on the ice works even better for Couture.

The 24-year-old is no longer a secret. His consistent and steady rise has earned Couture an All-Star selection, a prestigious invite to Canada's Olympic camp and, most important, status in the San Jose locker room - he's a key figure in the pursuit of a Stanley Cup.

"We're all excited about where he's progressed," Todd McLellan said. "You don't want him to have a ceiling where it's at right now. You want him to continue to push."

The Sharks' coach is not suggesting that Couture - who has 89 goals, 167 points in 232 career games - is satisfied, but rather he's curious to see just how far the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft might progress.

"Personally, I want to have a good start," Couture said. "I want to produce offensively, play a lot of special teams, win a lot of face-offs, play well in my own end. Just everything."

Team captain Joe Thornton - a six-time All-Star and former league MVP - knows the path Couture has to follow.

"When you're an elite player, you want to get better, you've got to push yourself in practice so nothing slips," Thornton said. "He's at that elite status, and now he has to maintain it for the next 10 years. That's the trick."

The Sharks are counting on that kind of play for at least the next six years after extending Couture's current deal five more seasons for $30 million. Couture said he doesn't change anything in summer preparation for a new season - he has kept the same trainer and offseason routine.

Couture credits his parents for instilling characteristics that keep him grounded and level-headed. He said his maturity stems from leaving home at age 16 and playing for legendary Ottawa 67's junior coach Brian Kilrea, who helped cement the Guelph, Ontario, native's path to success as a strong two-way player.

"He can play against anybody, plays in all situations, blocks shots," linemate Patrick Marleau said. "He's a player young kids should look at and emulate. He does everything really well."

That's what caught the attention of Team Canada and Olympic general manager Steve Yzerman. Couture hopes to be a part of the Sochi Games that will interrupt the NHL season in February. And Couture knows he has to maintain and advance his game to get selected, all while pointing the Sharks toward a 10th straight playoff appearance.

"The league is more aware of him so he's going to be a focal point," McLellan said. "He has to continue to do the things he's done, but probably on a more consistent basis against tougher competition nightly."

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